As the United States grapples with an escalating opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reaching out to major tech companies to address the growing online sale of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl.
Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok are expected to join a teleconference in mid-December, as reported by The Information, to discuss their role in combating the opioid epidemic. The meeting, scheduled just weeks before Trump takes office, underscores the mounting pressure on online platforms to take more responsibility in curbing the distribution of illicit drugs.
“The planned meeting is a critical step in engaging tech giants on this issue, focusing on increasing scrutiny of illegal activities on their platforms,” said Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies (ICDPS) at Shanghai University, in an interview with CGTN. “It is an acknowledgment by Trump’s team that, to effectively combat fentanyl trafficking, collaboration with tech companies is essential, especially for monitoring online drug markets.”
The opioid crisis has claimed thousands of lives annually in the United States. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been a driving factor behind the surge in overdose deaths, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 108,000 overdose fatalities in 2023 alone.
A 2024 study from Johns Hopkins University found that synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, have exacerbated the crisis, in part due to the proliferation of online markets where these drugs are easily purchased.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the collaboration with tech companies may signal a new approach in tackling the opioid epidemic. By harnessing the capabilities of major online platforms, authorities hope to disrupt the digital channels that facilitate the illegal sale of fentanyl and other dangerous substances.
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Can Trump's push to engage tech companies curb online drug sales?
cgtn.com
